Central School.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 288, 9 December 1904, Page 3

Central School.

PRESENTATION OP PRIZES.

" The large attendance which filled the Theatre Koyal on Thursday afternoon was justification of the action of the Central School Committee in making the departure of holding the annual presentation of 5 prizes *in that building. Of recent years the function has partaken somewhat of the nature ot a hole and corner affair, the parents being mainly conspicuous by their absence. On this occasion, however, the adults were present in great force, amongst the number being, several prominent citizens. At three o'clock Mr W. A. Collis, as chairman of the School Comanit-. tee, opened the proceedings, amongst those on the stage with bim being bis Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Cock) Revs. J. X. Buttle, \V. Woolley and F. G. Evans, Messrs E. M. Smith, M.H.R., G. H. Morgan, and Dempsey (headmaster). The speeches were notable for that quality so dear to the schoolboy heart —brevity, and so were attentively listened to throughout. Mr Collis, in his opening remarks, explained that those who attended 1 last] year's ceremony would remember that the school had been uncomfortably crowded, so the committee had decided to engage the theatre. It was cheering to the teachers to see such a large gathering of parents, as it showed an increased interest in the work of the.school. MrE. M. Smith, M.H.R., touched on the good work done at the Central School, which he said would citable a man to occupy any position in life. Education was rightly in the forefront of colonial affairs, as was evidenced by the demand for £1,000,000 for educational purposes. He was proud of the position he took in- connection with getting a school on Poverty Flat, where he hoped soon to see also a technical school. Referring to the delay ex- ' perienced by 1 the Education Board In obtaining grants from the Government, Mr Smith said 'he would gladly make one to go to Wellington to place the position before the Minister.

Mr Dempsey (headmaster) said after consideration the prizes had been allotted on the basis of three qualifications—regularity of attendance, proficiency, and industry. In addition, special prizes had been awarded to'some of tie elder boys for the great assistance rendered to the staff. Of the £lO required for the prizes, seven gciltlenien had subscribed £/! between them, though no one bad been 1 asked personally for a donation. He hoped that next year the public would even outdo litis. His Worship the Mayor then adjSressed a few seasonable remarks to the children! saying that this year it was intended to make Christmas time the most notable in the history of Taranaki. In referring to the departure of Mr Allswort'h, the Mayor said that as chairman of the Education Board that gentleman had taken a very keen interest in educational matters, and bad done many good actions for the cause ; amongst otltcrs was obtaining St. Michael's Square, as a reserve for all time. All wouM join in the hope that the iimove , might be for. Mr Allswort-h's good., Members of school commitflfcre called upon to devote much time, to their duties, and in New Plymouth the residents were fortunate in having first-class men. In conclusi(Hi the speaker paid a tribute-to Mr Dempsey's Work, which he said had endeared him to all the scholars. (Applause.) His Worship then presented the prizes to the .various winners. •,

During the afternoon part songs were sung by the scholars of the various classes, to the accompaniment •' of an orchestra consisting of Miss Lilian Richardson (piano), R. Idling, G. Browne (violins), V. Tunbridge (flute), and H. Cornwall (mandolin and orchestral leader), the whole being under the direction of Mr A. Gray, one of the Unites. An interesting item was the phonograph selection rendered toy Masters Hawke and Stone.

Two of the prize-takers. Masters Bertie Small and Cecil Putt, were loudly cheered as they came forward .to get the special prizes awarded to them for the valuable aid they had rendered to the teachers in keeping order and so on. The Mayor, in handing over the awards, wished them every success in their future life, as they have now left school.

The scholars in the infant classes all received prizes, but no' list of names js available, the prize Winers in the upper classes being given below.

' Following are pupils mentioned for regularity, proficiency, and industry respectively in the several classes

Standard I.—James Aldridge (special), Clarice Herbert, Muriel Buckle, Phoebe Reid, Nora Bullot, Annie Mace, Mona Lealand, Stratihie Ewing, Gerald Chong, Leslie Lealand, Flora Lealand. Standard ll.—Amy Brown, Frank Throssell, Erwin Howell, Miro Blyth William Bransgrove, Colin Sisley, Laurie Pepperell, William McDonald, Ralph Jordan, Winnie Smith, Freda Buchanan, Harold Smith (special).

Standard lll.—Edwin Russell, Laurie Mills, .Kathleen Penn, Clarice Brfewer, Connie Rowan, Amy Harle, Marjory Livermore, Annie Emery, Avenel Fooke, Olive Sturmey, Cecil Quilliam, Gladys Doile, Lizzie GroonAridge, Willie Hardgravcs, Willie: Webber, Alfred Whitham, Roggie Bayne (special for good conduct). Standard IV.—Myrtle Frethey, Marjory McGaihey, Lizzie White, Jack Shaw, Wiggs Sorrenaon, Eileen Penn, Frank Clarke, Florrie Avaim, Cyril Lealand, Reggie Pepperell, Eileen Coleman, George Court, Bertie Taylor, Gwendolin Skinner, Alexander Young (special for industry).

Standard V.—Stennett Hurle, Douglas Harle, Royce Pepperell, Alary Rowan, Leslie Sole, Vincwut Boulton, Eric Ellenn, Annie Brown, Winnie Blanchott, William Whitton, Horace Cornwall (special), Dick Smith (special). .Standard Vl.—Edgar Blundell, <Jeorge Loveridge, Lionel Asher, Gilnio.'e Hawkins, Rupert Laing, Qeorgc Brown. Dorothy Langmuir, Ivy Arnold, Doris Roberts, Bertie Smith, Cecil Putt.